The played all four games at the Ponce field the first two days because of the weather in Caguas. Why didn't they do that today?

Had the opportunity to interview NC State @NCStateBaseball Head Coach Elliott Avent about his team’s experience competing in the Puerto Rico Baseball Challenge. Coach Avent shared his thoughts on opening the season in Puerto Rico, the competitive environment, and what this event… pic.twitter.com/ATPVyzGgUf

— Luis Murphy (@LuisMurphy) February 15, 2026

Alex Gee said:

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Wbtaylor said:

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The played all four games at the Ponce field the first two days because of the weather in Caguas. Why didn't they do that today?

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Imagine travel has something to do with it.

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Why would travel be a problem for where they were already playing at the last 2 days?

Cotten said:

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Nate97 said:

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Enjoying these commentators, which is a rarity these days. Side note, would love for the NHL Canes to dump Fan Duel and go to an ad-supported, free to the consumer app like this. I see Dallas and Anaheim are using Victory.

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I agree. FanDuel ( Main Street sports group) is very close to collapse again. They failed to make their January payment to all 9 MLB teams, and each have switched to MLB to produce their games this season. DAZN was in discussions to buy FanDuel, but backed away after the MLB teams split. Victory+ has reached out to the remaining NBA and NHL teams… and has promised each that they could be production ready in 3 days.

https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/01/main-street-rsn-teams-considering-victory-report/

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Not sure how Victory+ can survive if the fan duel RSNs failed. Its a free app with limited advertising. Hell Peacock is losing 100s of millions a year.

Boo. Was looking forward to watching today. Lol

I get it

Alex Gee said:

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wbkook said:

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Alex Gee said:

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Wbtaylor said:

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The played all four games at the Ponce field the first two days because of the weather in Caguas. Why didn't they do that today?

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Imagine travel has something to do with it.

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Why would travel be a problem for where they were already playing at the last 2 days?

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I mean travel home and the timing of it

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Ah. Gotcha. Makes sense

Weird that wake and Indiana state are playing but we couldn't get our game in

pack2010 said:

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Weird that wake and Indiana state are playing but we couldn't get our game in

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I think they are playing in Ponce. We were scheduled to play in Cagues. I think.

Would guess that the only way for us to play would've been for them to have a fourth game at the Ponce stadium like they've done all weekend, but that would've had us leaving too late to get back home. Only weird things is that they didn't announce it yesterday, since it's been known they couldn't play at the second venue.

wilmwolf said:

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Would guess that the only way for us to play would've been for them to have a fourth game at the Ponce stadium like they've done all weekend, but that would've had us leaving too late to get back home. Only weird things is that they didn't announce it yesterday, since it's been known they couldn't play at the second venue.

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Also kind of weird that Washington and Houston are still playing down there tomorrow morning. Of course not saying we got screwed or anything, but it SEEMS like things could have been done to possibly move the schedule around some and let us get our game in. Either way, successful weekend, but another game to see 3-4 more arms and more ABs would have never hurt

Agree

Houston vs Washington today in Pr so

So what did we learn this weekend? I know it is early, but what are the early takeaways from this weekend?

For me:

- not sure I learned a lot pitching-wise
- my only way too early pitching observation is Kitchings could develop into a good setup guy this year
- the lineup looks to have more depth than we had last year
- I am not sure I like Head in the leadoff spot and think Nixon looks ready to take that role
- questions still to be answered defensively at SS
- good battle at 3B
- Wiggins probably not leaving the lineup; not sure how that impacts Rhett Johnson

Both teams couldn't play because the ballpark that the first two games we played at were to far away from the airport and Seton Hall had a late game the day before so and if they both would have been to close for there flights back home

ICW Wolf said:

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For me:

- not sure I learned a lot pitching-wise
- my only way too early pitching observation is Kitchings could develop into a good setup guy this year
- the lineup looks to have more depth than we had last year
- I am not sure I like Head in the leadoff spot and think Nixon looks ready to take that role
- questions still to be answered defensively at SS
- good battle at 3B
- Wiggins probably not leaving the lineup; not sure how that impacts Rhett Johnson

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Good points here.

I think pitching we got what we expected for early season outings - nothing to complain about on the mound.

Was impressed with the new guys. Bargo is going to be a problem and being able to put him at 1B (which wasn't a given according to the preseason pods from James and Ethan) is huge for the lineup. I think we may have more power than we expected.

Also, loved seeing the aggressive baserunning. We were 6/7 on stolen base attempts. Conversely, our opponents were 0/1 on stolen base attempts in the two games.

SportManagementEngineer said:

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ICW Wolf said:

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For me:

- not sure I learned a lot pitching-wise
- my only way too early pitching observation is Kitchings could develop into a good setup guy this year
- the lineup looks to have more depth than we had last year
- I am not sure I like Head in the leadoff spot and think Nixon looks ready to take that role
- questions still to be answered defensively at SS
- good battle at 3B
- Wiggins probably not leaving the lineup; not sure how that impacts Rhett Johnson

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Good points here.

I think pitching we got what we expected for early season outings - nothing to complain about on the mound.

Was impressed with the new guys. Bargo is going to be a problem and being able to put him at 1B (which wasn't a given according to the preseason pods from James and Ethan) is huge for the lineup. I think we may have more power than we expected.

Also, loved seeing the aggressive baserunning. We were 6/7 on stolen base attempts. Conversely, our opponents were 0/1 on stolen base attempts in the two games.

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agree with all that and definitely like the more aggressive approach on the basepaths.

Solid start - Not sure we learned much but I love college baseball. Not sure I remember such a buzz around the whole Southeast

there were more sell outs this weekend in the SE than ever before. Weather was great and fans know these players now. The FSU baseball team went to all of the fraternities urging them to to be vocal at all games this year

Clemson/Army sold out all weekend

UF sold out

I hope our fans get the memo

Couple of mine outside of the obvious like Bargo.

-Really liked Nixon and Lampheres approach, both worked counts and took the ball where it was pitched. If those two guys can produce this lineup will be tough. Think it should be added that Lamphere was high OBP guy before last year (In limited role).

-In general, lineup feels like a bunch of guys willing to take pitches/make guys work/foul off pitches they don't like.

-In the two plays I saw Peifer make you can tell he is probably the best defensive IF we've had since Torres. Don't see Avent not playing him with his defense.

-On the contrast, did not think we looked great defensively at SS or 1st, willing to make that trade at first to get better bats in the lineup though.

Don't really think we will know much about this team until FSU.

I bought season tickets this year for the first time and noticed most of the early season games are at 3:00 during the week which is incredibly hard to get to with work. Is this typically the case every year?

pbr1973 said:

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I bought season tickets this year for the first time and noticed most of the early season games are at 3:00 during the week which is incredibly hard to get to with work. Is this typically the case every year?

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Yes it is typical. By the way, your looking a little under the weather tomorrow afternoon, you should go home early!

pbr1973 said:

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I bought season tickets this year for the first time and noticed most of the early season games are at 3:00 during the week which is incredibly hard to get to with work. Is this typically the case every year?

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Been that way for years. Feb/early March games are 3 PM games

Agree you don't look like you feel well

I don't think we see McCugh stick in LF. I think that was more of a result of Johnson being injured. So with Johnson coming back and presumably pushing for playing time - we have to figure out our OF - 3 of 4 of Head, Fraasman, Wiggins, Johnson - seems like Devin Mitchell is the 5th wheel at this time.

Then Bargo/McCugh 1B/DH almost guaranteed - unless Bargo can really play behind the plate and for whatever reason Lanphere is unable to go. I thought Drew looked really sharp this weekend.

I thought Peiffer looked better than Sherman - but Sherman and Ryan and Peiffer will be 3 guys fighting for two spots on the left side of IF.

We have a lot to figure out.

Didn't realize Johnson was hurt. That does make it more interesting.

SeaWolf said:

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pbr1973 said:

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I bought season tickets this year for the first time and noticed most of the early season games are at 3:00 during the week which is incredibly hard to get to with work. Is this typically the case every year?

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Yes it is typical. By the way, your looking a little under the weather tomorrow afternoon, you should go home early!

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Allergies are going t be bad in March

Rett Johnson must be good.

You both look sick

Alex Gee said:

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metcalfmafia said:

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Rett Johnson must be good.

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Cal, Adam, and Wes talked about it this week - he chose us over some big-time opportunities. Vandy, Miss St. Arkansas, etc.

State fan growing up. #1 outfielder in NC for his class. Top ranked kid for the class in NC that stayed in the state. 70th nationally in terms of guys that went to school instead of the draft.

Believe State thinks he's Tyler McDonough 2.0 with a threat to steal more bags.

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I get it but he is still a freshman. I am not saying he isn't going to win a spot out there, but who are you taking out of the lineup? Wiggins? Fraasman?

Draft eligible next year as well. You rarely see those guys not play when they make it to campus under EA and Hart.